Shenhua ramp up Drogba pursuit

The Chinese Super League club have long been linked with Drogba, who confirmed last month he would be leaving Champions League winners Chelsea this summer.

Shenhua's new manager Sergio Batista remains confident that they would be able to reunite the Ivory Coast international with former Blues team-mate Nicolas Anelka.

"The possibility of Drogba coming is still relatively large," Batista said. "I believe the club's management is still in contact with Drogba."

However, Batista admitted he did not expect the deal to be done before the end of the month, while the Shanghai Daily newspaper reported Shenhua owner Zhu Jun would hold direct talks with the 34-year-old.